Career Track Tuesday: Networking Skills

Tonight I attended a Networking Skills workshop, run by marketing consultant Anna Franks and actor/trainer Rick Ferguson. The workshop detailed how to identify the best networking opportunities, introduce yourself effectively, explain what you do concisely, be confident about appropriate conversation topics and improve your active listening skills.

Notes:

Where to network:

• Online, through friends or colleagues.
• Events (Use Eventbrite to find events to attend).
• Junior Chamber of Commerce
• Yorkshire Mafia
• Leeds Arts University events
• Glug (Next event 21st March)

Planning Ahead

• Know where the event is, and plan how long it will take to get there. Make sure you're on time, or even better, slightly early. 
• Source an invite list of attendees (if possible) and do your research about them, especially those you may want to have as a contact.
• Set yourself targets and goals (e.g. Talk to 5 people, get 5 business cards etc.)

Tips

• Think about your body language. Make sure you appear open and approachable.
• Make sure you don't close a group by standing closed. 
• Simple conversation starter: 'What brings you here tonight?'
• Visualise talking points.
• Establish a personal connection.
• Find common ground.

Elevator pitch

• Who do you work with? 
• What do you do? 
• What particular skills do you possess?

Filler Questions

• What clients are you working with at the moment?
• What do you love the most about your job?
• What other networking events have you been to/recommend?

Conversation Exit Strategies

• 'Please excuse me while I go and get another drink.'
• 'Do you have a business card so that we can connect?'
• 'Sorry, I've just spotted someone that I really need to speak to. Do you mind if I go to speak to them?'
• 'Do you know anyone else at the event?'
• "Please excuse me while I go to the loo.'

Following Up

• Send a follow soon after the event to solidify connection made.
• Request to connect on LinkedIn, with a personalised message.
• Say something along the lines of 'Hi. It was nice meeting you last night, I hope you don't mind if we connect and stay in touch.'

While the thought of attending a networking event solo is still very daunting to me, as someone who feels anxious meeting new people and unfamiliar social environments, I feel the workshop has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to 'fake it' and act professionally at such events where there are networking opportunities. I also feel better prepared to face this type of situation going forward.